Paignton YMCA moves into former Mormon chapel

Our new home is absolutely ideal'

Paignton’s YMCA is on the move to a new home in the town..

More than half a century after the Queen Mother opened its base at Clennon Valley, the YMCA is moving its community activities into the former Greylands School in Belle Vue Road.

The Victorian building was most recently used as a chapel by the Mormon church, who took it over in 2017. The church has now moved out, paving the way for the YMCA.

Maria Goodwin, chief executive of South Devon YMCA, explained: “We have outgrown the old base, and we are really looking forward to getting the new one up and running.”

The timber-framed Clennon Valley YMCA was a state-of-the-art building when it first opened in 1969 but, said Mrs Goodwin: “It was starting to look as if we wouldn’t be able to continue there.

“It was never built to last this long, and although it was structurally sound it would have cost more than a million pounds to bring it up to modern-day requirements.”

Initially the YMCA had hoped to build a new home on its existing Clennon Valley site, but switched its focus to finding a new headquarters. It has been able to secure a loan to buy the former school and chapel in Belle Vue Road.

“It is absolutely ideal for what we want,” said Mrs Goodwin. “We can expand our services and offer even more than we do now. The new building will be accessible to all.”

Its nursery and youth centre services will open early in the New Year, and the gardens will be used for forest school activities.

Torbay Council has been working alongside the YMCA on surveys and preparations for the move.

Council leader David Thomas (Con, Preston) said: “This is great news for YMCA South Devon. The team does such incredibly important work with our young people.

“From running a nursery to providing education to children who can’t attend mainstream school, and hosting a night stop for vulnerable young people, their work with our communities is invaluable.

“I’m pleased they have secured modern premises to not only continue this work, but to also increase opportunities for young people across Torbay.”

Now the invitations have gone out for a Royal VIP to open the new YMCA just as the Queen Mother opened the old one.